The shining star of the National Park Service program in the United States, the Grand Canyon hosts more than 5 million visitors each year [source: NPS.gov]. Standing on the edge of the canyon rim is something that can only be fully understood by doing it yourself. No words can aptly describe, and no photograph can fully capture the sheer size and magnitude of the natural world wonder. It truly does take your breath away and is something that must be experienced in person.
The canyon is a jaw-dropping 277 miles (445.7 kilometers) long and 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide at its widest point and we can thank the Colorado River for forming it over a period of about 3 to 6 million years [source: Explorethecanyon.com] For a little more solitude, try venturing out to the more distant North Rim. This section of the canyon is no less breathtaking, and gets about 10 percent the number of visitors as the more heavily frequented South Rim.